Swing set construction day 1

Me, Mackenzie, and Todd

Saturday morning at 11am Todd Stafford and I started working on Mackenzie's new playset and it was over 90 degrees with high humidity. We decided to sink the tower posts into the ground about one foot so I got a good workout digging the holes.

We put the tower together and discoverd that the slide was going to be too high so we actually lifted the tower out of the holes and cut off the ends to lower it about a foot. That took a while. Funny thing is that Mackenzie came out after we had finished putting it back in the holes and she couldn't understand why we hadn't done anything!

By the end of the evening we had nearly finished the tower. Brian Wohlers stopped by and was definitely a "shot in the arm" for our moral and a great help as well! Thanks Brian!

Todd Stafford is incredible. He is a strategic thinker and really knows how to build stuff - gotta love them engineers! We work well together since I am an implementer/refiner.

The heat is the other story here. It really takes it out of you to be out there in 90+ degree heat with high humidity.

Although we didn't get nearly as far as we had hoped, we took our time and was certain that everything was level and cut square. It was a good day!

A promise kept

Mackenzie at Home Depot

Four years ago when we moved into our new house in Wadsworth Ohio and we promised Mackenzie a wooden swingset after we got the yard planted and our landscaping in. Then we got the news that we would be looking for a new job. Hmmm - what to do?

Four years later we finally moved into a house we hope will be more permanent than the last one and so it was time to keep my promise to Mackenzie.

Todd Stafford offered to help me put the swing set together. We decided to build the swingset using a kit from Timber-Bilt by Swing-N-Slide. After weeks of planning it was time to go shopping and buy the lumber. So on Friday Mackenzie and I headed off to Home Depot to purchase the kit, wood, and accesories. Click on the picture above to see a slideshow of our shopping trip.

More later.

Happy 19th birthday Andrew!

Andrew and friend Austin

It's hard to believe, but 19 years ago July 3rd we went to the hospital and had our firstborn in a Chattanooga hospital. We have enjoyed this wonderful bundle of joy and we are excited about what God is doing in his life. The past 2-3 years have been very difficult for him but it seems like he has persevered and is doing quite well.

Happy birthday son! We love you!

ARGH!!!! Stopped up sink!

Kevin the Drain Medic

Thursday night I came home to water on the kitchen floor and a plunger in the sink. Yup, the kitchen sink and and dishwasher was backed up with smelly water. Since it was already 11pm we decided to go to bed and work on it in the morning.

Next morning, I borrowed a POWER snake (guys care about this stuff) from an undisclosed friend (otherwise you would all call him next time you need one!) and went to snaking out the drain. Short version: It didn't work and the schedule 40 pvc pipe I cut needed to be rejoined - bummer.

(Enter Drain Medic) Kevin, the Drain Medic, came over after I called him up and he brought in a power snake, a BIG power snake. AND, he said it was his smaller one! I love power! He went right to work. He went downstairs and started snaking the drain at the clean out and hit the blockage pretty quick. Back upstairs and he tightened my connections under the sink and we were back in business!

Thanks to Kevin, the Drain Medic!

A clean deck

Jon Hufford cleaning our deck
(click on pic for slideshow)

Thursday afternoon Jon Hufford brought his powerwasher over and cleaned our deck. There was stain on it so it took quite a while to get the job done. We took turns spraying the deck until most of the stain was gone and our deck looked almost new.

That powerwasher was fun to use - it literally strips the stain right off. Isn't that what Jesus did 200 years ago. He stripped off the "stain" of sin and made us new. And like the deck that was powerless to do anything about its condition, we too could not do anything to help clean ourselves up. Only Christ could do that. : )

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Co 5:17NIV

Happiness is a new puppy!

The newest member of our family
(Click on pic for slideshow)

Sunday we took a drive down to Shueyville to the Johnson's place and picked up our new puppy. Riley is a 15 week old Maltese/Pomeranian mix who seems to be very happy in his new home. He won't shed and he won't get much bigger than 7-10 pounds. A perfect dog for our family!

Actually, I should have titled this "A Promise Kept." Before we left Wadsworth Ohio and was trying to sell our house, our dog Jack was making life difficult for us. He was an outdoor dog that we tried to keep indoors and it wasn't a good combination. So, I (me, myself, and I) returned Jack to his original owners who were happy to have him back. This did NOT win me any brownie points with my kids however. I promised them that when we got our new house we would look for a dog.

Well, at our graduation party Jody Pence (our realtor who found our new house) told us that she knew of someone who was selling puppies that would be perfect for us. And the rest is history. You gotta love a realtor who finds you a house, a puppy, and all the while becomes a great friend! We love you Jody!

Home Sweet Home

Greg Walker & Dan Van Zoest guide
the piano off the truck
(Click on pic for slideshow)

Welp, on Friday morning at approximately 10:47am we finished signing papers to become home owners once again. yeah! Then, at noon we started loading the rental truck for a move of a whopping 1.3 miles! At 9:45pm we finished getting everything to the new house and thanks to JoDee Martin (and probably others as well) the rental house we had been using was clean!

The real story here is teamwork! Todd Stafford, my accountability partner, came over and with only 4 people (Andrew, Austin, Todd, and me) loaded almost all the boxes and the beds in about 3 hours. By 5pm we had all the boxes and beds moved into the new house.

Then, a wonderful team of ladies helped Judy move the kitchen and get everything settled. They really worked hard! After a couple of hours the kitchen was moved and ready to go. WOW!

Then at 5:30pm our second crew of helpers showed up and we started moving the furniture. Two pieces of furniture were to be the most challenging - our piano and the TV Armoir (who invented those Armoirs?). Even though the rental company did not give us the dolly we had agreed to, we were still able to get the piano out the door and on the truck without too much difficulty. At the new house we backed the truck up to the front door and put the ramp right on the threshold and rolled the piano into the foyer and right into the living room. It was a sight to behold! The armoir wasn't as easy as the piano, but the men did a fantastic job!

Saturday morning another team of workers came over and helped us wrap things up at the rental house. We were able to get the garage cleared out enough to walk through it! Then, Jeremy and Loretta Bushlack helped us set up a couple of rooms: the garage and the family room. Jeremy hooked up our washer and dryer with some new hoses. By the end of the day we had the garage cleared enough to get a car in! Amazing! Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this move happen by helping us in one way or another. The list is long, but here goes:

Todd Stafford, Austin Spooner, Karen Veldhuizen, Ann & Amanda Paulsen, Gina & Natalie Kaufman, John & Sandy Herder, Kathryn & Jon Hufford, Greg & Lisa Walker, Jody & Brian Wohlers, Tom & Tammy Burns, Jeremy & Loretta Bushlack, Jon Peterson, Steve Jenkins, Chris Evans, Dave & Stenner Kvindlog, Tom Green, Dan Van Zoest, Tom & Jane Kelly, JoDee Martin, Kim & Sharon Pagel, Tim Glass, Alan & Lynn Kritzman (we bought the house from them and they brought us cookies to enjoy!) and Jody Pence (our realtor). WOW! What a team! I sure hope I didn't miss anyone because it was a little hectic at times! That's 35 people!

Thanks to everyone! You are the greatest!

The Panera Princess

Allyson is now working at Panera's and loving it! Since I use Panera as my office away from my office it is exciting for me to see my daughter doing so well at her new job. She is fitting in and everyone seems to like her a lot. In fact, I have people comment to me how much they love her sweet smile and friendly manner.

If you stop in Panera's on the NE side, make sure you look for Allyson. She makes a great IC Mocha!

A Graduation Party

Charley Snodgrass and Andrew
(click on pic for slideshow)

Andrew's graduation party was June 17th (man, I'm behind on my blogging!) and as usual it was a tremendous team effort. Our small group helped us get everything organized and then they came out and helped us get everything set up. We decided on a taco bar and it was a great hit!

Thanks to everyone who helped us!

• Jon and Kathryn Hufford - Kathryn master-minded the event! (Jon painted the rock - see pic!)
• Tom and Jane Kelly - they came early and helped us get all the food set up (Tom helped Jon paint the rock)
• Gina and Natalie Kaufman - they kept the buffet line full and our guests happy
• Spooner - tables and chairs
• Dan and Robin Koskamp - loaning us the canopy (and setting it up)
• Sharon Pagel - set-up and decorations
• Loretta Bushlack - memory board design
• LeAnn Bird - clean up

Also, thanks to everyone who came by and wished Andrew well. It was a great day!

#205

It all started in January 2001 back in Cleveland Ohio. My beautiful wife felt led to go back to college to pursue a degree in nursing, and so she enrolled one class at a time as she worked her way through really tough courses like Anatomy and Physiology along with Microbiology and Organic Chemistry.

Back in 1983 she headed off to Bob Jones University to study her passion - nursing - and somewhere along the way changed her mind about nursing which is unfortunate because that is where her true passion is. She continued on and earned a degree business administration. But that isn't really what she wanted to do. So...

Now after 5 years of class work (an additional year was added due to our move to Iowa) and today she received official notice that she #205 on the waiting list for clinicals (practicals). This represents a 3 semester wait in order to start the clinicals. Clinicals take about one year.

The most amazing thing to me is that she has done this through unbelievable turmoil and upheaval in both our personal lives and ministry lives all the while maintaining a household. We are so proud of her! Congrats Judy! We can't wait to see you graduate with your RN Degree!

The Graduate

Me, Andrew and Judy
(click on pic for slideshow)

Our wonderful son Andrew graduated from Linn-Mar High School today, our first-born. It has been an extremely exciting weekend for a number of reasons. Judy's parents came in Wednesday night and surprised the kids - REALLY surprised them! Then, Judy's brother and sister-in-law and kids came in on Saturday morning. It was a wonderful time! Now, back to our son...

Andrew was born in Chattanooga Tennessee and has been involved in sports all along. He was an excellent soccer player, but eventually found his way to basketball where he really excelled. He also got very involved in video editing and has become quite accomplished in writing, shooting, producing, and editing videos. He hopes someday to be involved in some aspect of film, maybe even a film director! WOW! We are so proud of him.

Andrew is planning to attend Kirkwood Community College in the fall to study Marketing and Film. He plans to then transfer to the University of Iowa after two years.

Andrew - we are SO proud of you! Congratulations Graduate! If you would like to see his senior pictures click here.

Idol Finale

(I missed the finale - was leading a Bible study)

Short and simple - the real winner was Chris, runner-up was Kat, and Taylor who? I didn't vote, so go ahead and blame me. Rett - you figured me out. I love sappy, female balladiers (Kat, Olivia, Martina, Tracy Marie, Darlene Zschech, Celine - my personal all-time fav.) Todd - you prognosticated a Chris/Kat showdown EARLY in the contest. I agree - another winner who will amount to nothing after winning. Taylor has a great voice, but an American Idol shouldn't resemble an Elvis impersonator.

See ya next season.

Idol Final - Over the Rainbow

Ok, so I'm sitting here at Panera waiting for my accountability partner to show up and I went online to watch Kat sing "Over the Rainbow." WOW!!! It's a little embarrassing to be sitting here in a public place with misty eyes. What is it that evokes so much emotion? I just know that when she finished the tears came, and they are there again just writing about it. AND, this is not spiritual. I think there is something within us (well, me anyways!) that recognizes a "win" and I feel the urge to celebrate with the individual. This is the reason I don't like to watch ice skating. When someone really nails it I break out in tears. That's just me. (and I love it!)

Idol Final

Tonight's the final night of competition and it all comes down to two performers: Katharine McPhee & Taylor Hicks. Here's my pre-judge comments comments. In some cases I comment on the judges comments. Here goes!

McPhee#1 - very entertaining, soulful, good lows (her best range). I would have liked something a bit more powerful, but I think she was in her element.I agree with Paula. I agree with Simon. The occasion, in fact, deserved a better song, but it was a good warm up.

Taylor#1 - OMG! I love the song - perfect for him. What's up with the purple, lounge-lizard jacket. Hands down, the dude can sing. Great energy! (I wish Kathryn would have come out swinging like he did.)

McPhee#2 - I missed it. A guest stopped by. I can't believe I missed my fav song twice. It's online so I'll watch it later.

Taylor#2 - It was good. I especially like it when he doesn't dance all around. It WAS pitchy. You have to sing in tune.

McPhee#3 - Piano is out of tune. First note - she wins again. Elegant. I wish they would have raised it one half pitch to Bb. The last note sold me! First note, last note. I am putty and a bit emotional. THAT'S what makes am American Idol.

Taylor#3 - I guess he CAN sing a ballad. Real pitchy. I'm sorry, but he doesn't do anything for me. I guess the judges like them. Simon? What's up with that comment? If he's the next idol, I'm sad. (sorry Loretta)

Conclusion - Remember when Nadia nailed the perfect 10 on the balance beam? I do. I still get misty even thinking about it. A performance that moves me. When Lance rode to an inconceivable 6 straight TDFs I cried. I like Taylor - I love Katharine.

(Funny thing. I switched channels to the Academy of Country Music Awards and Dirks Bentley was singing and it wasn't very good. He was pitchy and mediocre. THERE!)

Welp, America will now vote. I hope Kat wins. I'm out.

A weekend get away

Me and Judy at the Hancock House Bed & Breakfast
(Click on the pic for a slideshow)

FINALLY! After over one year of not getting away for a single weekend, it finally happened Friday and Saturday. Friday morning we left Cedar Rapids to head to Dubuque for our first ever experience at a bed & breakfast. We drove to nearby Galena, Illinois that is rich in history and shops! We enjoyed a trolley tour then off to the shops. We ate lunch at Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy Restaurant - authentic Italian food and it was incredible!

Later in the afternoon we headed on back to Dubuque to our B & B destination - The Hancock House. After checking in, we decided to take in the sights of downtown Dubuque but found that most everything was closed after 5pm. We went back to the B&B and settled in for the evening. I read Love Letters: An Anthology of Passion to Judy while we overlooked the Mississippi River below. I love the ambiance of this old house and its furnishings. Back up in the room I had big band music playing which further added to the ambiance of this old mansion. It was great to get away from the computer and phone and just relax with my wonderful bride of 20+ years.

Breakfast was served with another couple from Cedar Rapids and a couple from Chicago. The cinnamon and apple pancakes were delicious! Thanks Chuck and Susan - owners of this fine house.

After checkout we headed up to Dyersville, Iowa to see The Field of Dreams where the movie by the same name was shot - click here for slideshow. It was cool! (see next blog entry) It was a wonderful weekend that I'll not soon forget.

Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful lady to share life with. Please pour out your blessings on my precious Judy and may she know your deep, unconditional, and everlasting love.

Willow Creek Small Group Ministry Advanced Conference

Russ Robinson and me at Willow Creek
(Click the pic for a slideshow of our trip)

Tuesday afternoon 9 of us from the church headed up to Willow Creek Community Church to work on our Small Group Ministry strategy and to see what we needed to do next. This was a workshop format and we covered the book Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. We had a great time discussing the various issues we are facing in our small group ministry.

Nine of us went - 7 equipping staff and 2 from the small group leadership team. Greg Bowman challenged me before the conference that this is probably too many people and we would have difficulty with our discussions around our table. Well Greg didn't know that we function as a team, a team of servant leaders! We had no trouble with our discussions. In fact, our table facilitator just sat there and watched as we facilitated our own discussions! I love working with servant leaders! Thanks to our team! Bob, Kim, James, Erin, Pat, Mark F., Susan K. and Deacon Dave Sanders.

While we were there we had the opportunity to tour the campus and even stand on the stage at the church.WOW! It was huge! Kudos to Willow Creek for their near obsessive focus on outreach throughout every single department.

Home sweet home

We bought a house!!! Hooray! After nearly a year of looking for a house to purchase we finally found one that we like and can somewhat afford - housing is really expensive here in CR. When we looked at it last Thursday afternoon at 5pm it was quite a moment. We walked in and could just tell that this was the place for our family.

For a long time it didn't look like we would find a house that would suit us. With 4 kids we had to have 4 bedrooms and and some. This house has four bedrooms and room in the basement for a 5th. It's a great house for us and will serve us well as we have Bible studies and small groups over.

We are looking forward to getting out of our rental house and moved into our permanent house. The kids will enjoy having a ping-pong table in the basement. We are planning to move in on June 24th and I can't wait! Thanks for praying for us!

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Ps 127:1NIV

American Idol - the Final Four

I'm really getting into this Idol thing. I love analyzing the artists and then hearing the judges analysis. Since there were two songs for each performer, you will see a number after their name to indicate which song I am commenting on. Here's my pre-Randy-Paula-Simon comments, and sometimes post-comments as well:

Taylor1- wow, he even looked like Elvis a little. Nice rendition. He was born to be an Elvis impersonator.* (sorry Simon, I disagree)

Chris1 - too reserved. I wish he would have not held back. It's like he was afraid of it.

Elliot1 - terrible. Goodbye bro. (Wait! Is it possible that the mix that comes through the TV is not as good as what the studio audience hears? The judges loved it. hmmm)

Katharyn1 - Nice outfit, good song, personality like no other idol, coo hair, Aretha Franklin bit, AMAZING!!! The next American Idol!!! Pre-order my Katharyn CD.

Taylor2 - Taylor has got the soul that Elvis had. Nice leather coat - reminiscent of Elvis. Too bad this is not an "Elvis Impersonator"* contest. It's American Idol. I heard there were openings in several lounges in Las Vegas.

Chris2 - nice R & B. Why is he holding back? SING!!! There he goes! I love it when he's up there in the high E range! Nice job.

Elliot2 - man, that was your song. Whoah! Nice job! "Best performance ever" - I agree. (man, the band was rockin'!)

Katharyn2 - Yes, yes and yes! Nice lows, passion, you brought it! I agree with Simon - they weren't her best songs, but what can I say. She has it.

Idol Band - wow, they were hot tonight! Great horn licks! Drummer guy was rockin'!

*Personal note - Believe it or not, I performed with an Elvis impersonator for a summer in 1979. The guy went on later to win a national Elvis Impersonator contest held every year in Memphis. It was a lot of fun. At times it seemed like the "real deal." Glenn Bowles rocks!

American Idol musings

I am a blessed man! Tonight I was allowed to watch Idol - YEAH!!! Here's a few of my pre-Randy, Paula, Simon thoughts:

Katharine - My choice! She's humble, sweet, beautiful and she can really bring it. I especially love that low alto voice.

Taylor - was Taylor - a cheap lounge act. I think Elvis turned over in his grave.

Chris - wow, chris nailed it! He was a little out of his range on the second. Tired vocal chords.

Paris - 1st song needed a bigger voice, but she still knocked it out. I really like her, but I prefer Katharine.

Elliot - Love the song (Broadway) - ok performance.

I really enjoy listening and analyzing the singers. Being a musician, I have "studied" entertainment for years and what makes a good performance and a mediocre one. It's a fun hobby.

So, I'm voting (no, I don't call in) for Katharine. Chris would be second. What do you think?

Stress test #2 - try this one

Look at the picture above of two dolphins jumping out of the water in tandem. Research has shown that the more differences you notice in the two dolphins, the more stressed you are. This is attributed to the concentration and recognition influences intensifying when stressed.

I must be pretty stressed out!!! : )